Paddy McGuinness turns on Blackpool Illuminations

TV comedian Paddy McGuinness has turned on the Blackpool Illuminations in front of 25,000 people.

The BBC Radio 2 presenter and Phoenix Nights star flicked the switch at 21:15 BST to mark the official start of this year's spectacular light show.

There were huge cheers as the Blackpool Tower was lit up, with confetti cannons and fireworks set off as the Lancashire resort celebrated switch-on.

McGuinness told BBC Radio Lancashire said it was "amazing" and "Blackpool is world famous".

Previous stars to have turned on the lights have included Scary Spice Mel B, singers Olly Murs and Shirley Bassey as well as comedian Peter Kay.

The illuminations extend for six miles (10km) along the promenade and can be seen until Sunday 3 January.

Gates opened for the event at 16:30 BST with performances from British pop band Five.

BBC Radio Lancashire's Graham Liver and Sharon Hartley showcased some of the region's up-and-coming talent through BBC Introducing.

The Illuminations will run nightly, with daily start and end times varying as the nights start to draw in further.

New attractions for 2026 include brightly lit neon sandcastles, a "creatures of the deep" display, a sky forest featuring LED cherry blossom trees and an immersive deep space display.

Blackpool's Illuminations were said to have brought in £300m for town's economy in 2025.

Two in every five visitors in late summer and autumn 2025 came specifically to see the displays, a Blackpool Council report issued earlier this year said.

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